Christian Solidarity Worldwide

CSW
Formation1977
TypeChristian charity
HeadquartersCSW has offices in London, Brussels, Casper, Wyoming, Edinburgh, Washington, DC, and Kaduna.
Founder President
Mervyn Thomas (advocate)
CEO
Scot Bower
Websitecsw.org.uk, forbinfull.org
Formerly called
Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom and works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs, persecuted for other religious belief or persecuted for lack of belief. Its current president is Jonathan Aitken, who succeeded Baroness Cox in 2006.[1]

CSW's team of specialist advocates work on over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is upheld and protected.

Their vision is a world free from religious persecution, where everyone can practise a religion or belief of their choice.

Independent advocacy

CSW indicates that it is independent of any government or political persuasion, but as an advocacy organisation, CSW also aims to influence governments and other bodies on religious freedom issues in the international arena.[2] The CSW strives to influence attitudes and behaviours, legislation and policies that lead to religious discrimination and religious persecution. They try to achieve lasting change in culture, politics and society.[3]

Through its various resources, events, and initiatives, CSW also aims to mobilise the general public to pray, protest and provide on behalf of persecuted Christians, persecuted non-Christians and persecuted people with no faith.[4][5]

Strategies

CSW's current Annual Report (2010/11) states that its purpose is to be a voice for justice, pursuing religious freedom for all. To accomplish this, they use four key strategies:

  1. Documenting and raising awareness of religious persecution.
  2. Influencing key decision-makers whose policies or actions affect the oppressed.
  3. Empowering victims of human rights violations.
  4. Offering support and solidarity to the persecuted.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Christian Solidarity Website 2006". csw.org.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Home – Christian Solidarity Worldwide". Csw.org.uk. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  3. ^ About Christian Solidarity Worldwide Archived 21 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ The organisation also helps people of non-Christian faith in Burma Burma
  5. ^ CSW protested against the imprisonment of Indonesian atheist, Alexander Aan, he was visited in prison. CSW is concerned that minority faiths, sects and denominations as well as atheists lack religious freedom in Indonesia. Indonesia: Atheist Alexander Aan released from prison
  6. ^ [1], CSW Annual report 2010/11.